Pataki told a national television audience Sunday that minorities in New York City have “a legitimate fear” of violence by cops.

Diallo was shot 19 times by four cops, who fired 41 bullets at him Feb. 4 in The Bronx.

Bruno said, “A police officer, when he is confronted by a suspect who is allegedly committing a crime, when that suspect reaches for something, those police people have the right to protect themselves in whatever way they think is appropriate.

“They were there, I wasn’t.

“And maybe they [the police] overstated what ought to be going on, but when you see somebody looking at you, threatening you, reaching for something, what’s your response going to be?”

Bruno said he wasn’t seeking to criticize Pataki.

Pataki, who has been feuding with Giuliani for months, was not available for comment on Bruno’s statement.

Pataki, meanwhile, picked up some sarcastic backing for his blast at Giuliani from the state’s most powerful Democrat, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver of Manhattan.

“I welcome the governor back from his world tour, his national tour, to find out that there’s a problem that clearly needs to be addressed,” Silver said, referring to Pataki’s recent political visits.